Announcement Archives

March 17 - Second National Bike to School Day Helmets on Heads Bike Share Giveaway (via National Center for SRTS)

The National Center for Safe Routes to School and Schwinn’s Helmets on Heads program are teaming up again to celebrate Bike to School Day with the National Bike to School Day Helmets on Heads Bike Share Giveaway. This second annual Bike Share Giveaway will provide 10 bikes and 20 helmets to 10 schools and community organizations across the United States.

Individuals, schools and organizations that register their Bike to School Day event online are eligible to win one of the ten drawings for Schwinn’s bike and helmet giveaway. Each giveaway will include 10 bicycles and 20 helmets to be awarded to a winning school. Drawings will begin on Wednesday April 15th. Winners will be announced weekly on the Safe Routes to School and Schwinn Facebook pages. View the complete rules here.

You can learn more about the application process on our grant page, and you can download and review the application questions here.

February 11 – 2015 Registration for Bike to School Day Events Open!

Join tens of thousands of children, parents, school officials and many other supporters nationwide for the fourth annual National Bike to School Day on May 6, 2015. Last year, more than 2,220 events were registered for the third annual National Bike to School Day – a thirty percent increase from the previous year.

Olde Creek Elementary School, Fairfax

Over the past two years, Virginia experienced an even greater increase in registered Bike to School events, growing 44 percent between 2013 and 2014! In 2014, there were a total of 121 registered events. Can you help us reach 150 in 2015?

Walt Whitman Middle School, Alexandria

To assist us in meeting our goal, please register your event on www.walkbiketoschool.org. Registration for 2015 begins on February 11. It’s free and open to all individuals and/or organizations planning a 2015 Bike to School Day event in the United States. By registering your event, you will gain access to a variety of downloadable materials, including stickers, certificates, badges and classroom activities. For more info, visit www.walkbiketoschool.org and check out our Bike to School Day page.

February 11 – Virginia’s Second Annual Crossing Guard Appreciation Day! Crossing Guard Appreciation Day is a statewide event devoted to saying thank you to those who help students cross the street safely on their way to and from school.

While the Virginia SRTS Program has designated the second Wednesday of February as Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, we encourage schools and communities to plan their own Crossing Guard Appreciation Day on any day that works for them to recognize the valuable service crossing guards provide to make safe routes to school a reality.

Last fall, the Virginia Safe Routes to School program expanded Student Travel Tally Week to include any student travel tallies taken in the months of September and October 2014. As a result, a record 251 schools participated - 56 more than in 2013! Statewide, the percentages of students walking and biking to school have both increased, and account for 11 percent of trips combined. For more Student Travel Tally Week results, including select school division summary reports, visit the Student Travel Tally webpage.

February 3 – New Resource Available! Learn it. Do it. Live it! Working with Law Enforcement

Program staff has put the finishing touches on the latest resource in the Learn it. Do It. Live It! series. Law enforcement personnel in your local police or sheriff’s department are natural partners for your SRTS program. For example, law enforcement can help direct traffic for special events like Walk/Bike to School Day and many departments have their own Bicycle Patrols that can lead a bike rodeo. Read more about how to involve your local law enforcement personnel and find examples from other Virginia communities in the Working with Law Enforcement LDL. Also be sure to check out the other topics in the series in the Resource Library.

January 14 – VDOT announces Non-Infrastructure Grant funding for 2015

Non-Infrastructure (Activities and Programs) Grants are available in amounts between $5,000 and $100,000 to support education, encouragement, evaluation and enforcement programs related to Safe Routes to School. The Non-Infrastructure Grant can also be used to fund a SRTS coordinator. Before starting the grant application, applicants must complete a SRTS Activities & Programs Plan (APP). Detailed information about eligibility can be found in the Program Guidelines and application information is available on the Activities and Programs Plan and Non-Infrastructure Grants webpage. Non-Infrastructure Grant applications are due March 31, 2015.

January 2 – QuickStart Mini-grant Spring Due Dates

The spring due dates for QuickStart Mini-grants are February 12, March 12 and April 9. These $1,000 grants for schools interested in funding a small (or large) Safe Routes to School Activity like Crossing Guard Appreciation Day (February 11) or Bike to School Day (May 6) events are easy to apply for and a great way to start up a Safe Routes program. Applications are evaluated in the order they are received (hint: apply early!) Learn more with the Learn it. Do it. Live it. QuickStart Mini-grants resource guide and apply online before any of the three dates listed above.

December 1, 2014 – Outstanding Crossing Guard Nominations Now Open!

As part of the statewide Crossing Guard Appreciation Day on February 11, 2015, the Virginia Safe Routes to School program is sponsoring the second annual Outstanding Crossing Guard Awards. Regardless of whether the crossing guard at your school is a volunteer, a police officer, a teacher or a staff member, s/he provides a valuable service to your school community by helping everyone get to school safely. Is your crossing guard up well before dawn and out working rain or shine? Give your crossing guard the recognition they deserve by nominating them online before January 19, 2014. Winners will be announced on February 6, 2015.

December 1 – Nominate your crossing guard for the 2015 Outstanding Crossing Guard Award! Submit your nomination before January 19, 2014. Winners will be announced on February 11, 2015, Virginia’s second annual Crossing Guard Appreciation Day! Regardless of whether the crossing guard at your school is a volunteer, a police officer, a teacher or staff member, s/he provides a valuable service to your school community by helping everyone get to school safely. School crossing guards are up well before dawn and work rain or shine to ensure the safety and well-being of our children.

October 8, 2014 – International Walk to School Day! A recording breaking 220 schools in Virginia participated in International Walk to School Day (iWalk) this year! 42 more schools participated compared to last year, the highest level of participation in the state since the start of Walk to School Day.

Students, parents, teachers, and communities across the state took time in October to get outside and celebrate safe walking and biking to school. Celebrating iWalk is a valuable way for schools to teach the importance of pedestrian and bicycle safety, share the benefits of an active lifestyle, and to have fun with friends and family. Check out the photos below to see how schools celebrated iWalk this year.

Enterprise Elementary School, Woodbridge

Berkeley Glenn Elementary School, Waynesboro

Hampton Oaks Elementary, Stafford

Victory Elementary School, Portsmouth

June 15 – Safe Routes to School Summer Planning. School may be winding down, but the summer is an excellent time to begin planning next year’s SRTS program and activities. The VDOT Safe Routes to School program has developed a Summer Planning Learn it. Do it. Live it! tip sheet to help you and your school get ready for a great Safe Routes to School year. The resource shared tips and ideas for how best to make use of the summer to support your school’s Safe Routes to School program. The resource is available here.

National Bike to School Day was a Success in Virginia! – Last month, 121 schools, 37 more schools than last year, participated in Bike to School Day in Virginia. Students, parents, schools and communities took time to celebrate safe bicycling and walking to school. Schools held all sorts of bicycle events to celebrate the day – bicycle rodeos, bicycle repair demonstrations, helmet fittings, and safety lessons, among others. Check out the photos to see how schools in Virginia celebrated National Bike to School Day!

A student at Belle View Elementary School is fitted for a helmet

Students at Buzz Aldrin Elementary School show off their bicycles.

Students at Olde Creek Elementary School get ready for a bike train.

Students at Tuckahoe Middle School ride through a bicycle obstacle course during their Bike At School event.

Thomas Harrison Middle School students receive water bottles for participating in Bike to School Day.

Students at Campbell Elementary School walk their bikes on campus.

Students and their families take part in Bike Train on their way to Vienna Elementary School.

Antietam Elementary School students ride their bicycles across the school’s fields.

The bicycle rack filled up fast at Mount Vernon Community School.

Didn’t see your school’s Bike to School Day Event? We’d love to post it, send us picture from your school’s SRTS event and we’ll showcase it on the website. Send photos to Info@VirginiaSRTS.org.

And remember, just because it’s no longer May doesn’t mean your school can’t host a Bike to School Day. Check out all of the great Bike to School Day resources that you can use to celebrate bicycling and walking to school everyday!

April 22, 2014 – Celebrate Earth Day with Safe Routes to School – Every April 22, people from around the world come together to celebrate Earth Day and show their support to improve the environment. The Virginia SRTS program is celebrating Earth Day 2014 by releasing a new resource called “Going Green with SRTS,” which provides strategies that local SRTS programs can use to highlight the environmental benefits of walking and bicycling to school.

April 1, 2014 – Saris Bicycling Poster Contest Winner – This is the fourth annual Saris Bicycling poster contest and this year’s theme is a quote, “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.” The first place winner will be awarded a bicycle, light, and helmet. Also, the winning poster will be submitted to the national contest and the winner will receive a trip to next year’s National Bike Summit as well as get a bike rack for twenty bicycles for their school. Virginia’s second place winner will be awarded a bicycle light and helmet, and the third place winner will be awarded a bicycle helmet.

The winning poster submissions from Virginia are:

First Place

Elyse Ladia of Greenbriar West Elementary School

Second Place

Ruto Thi of Galax Middle School

Third Place

Umaima Asghar of Springfield Estates Elementary School

April 1, 2014 – Bike to School Day Resources – Bike to School Day is May 7, 2014 and Virginia Safe Routes to School wants your school to be ready to roll! Visit our Bike to School Day page to find guides, tip sheets, and helpful links to make your school’s Bike to School Day a success. Also, be sure to visit WalkBiketoSchool.Org to register your school’s Bike to School Day Event.

These six crossing guards are considered members of the nominating school’s family and positive role models making the trip to school safe and pleasant, as they get to know all of the students and their families who cross the street on the way to and from school.

VDOT also recognized three crossing guards for honorable mention for their hard work and service to their schools and communities:

The Outstanding Crossing Guard of the Year program is part of a larger effort by the Virginia SRTS program to highlight the importance of crossing guards. Crossing guards arrive at their posts often before sunrise and stay until the first bell rings. They protect students in front of all types of vehicles – cars, buses, trucks and bikes and they keep students safe in rain, snow, and sun.

Students, parents and communities nominated 25 local crossing guards to be the Most Outstanding Crossing Guard of 2013. All the nominated crossing guards have shown to be irreplaceable members of their communities and have gone above and beyond their duty as they help keep Virginia’s students safe crossing the street on their way to and from school. These crossing guards have shown complete dedication to their job showing up at intersections in all types of weather in order to help students cross in front of all types of vehicles – cars, buses, trucks, and bikes – these crossing guards are true community heroes.

Other nominated crossing guards are:

Anne Pago, Lake Anne Elementary School

Arlene Keels, Belvedere Elementary School

Carolyn Davis, Daniels Run Elementary School & St. Leo the Great School

Cheryl Belolli, Centreville Elementary

Mrs. Courtney, Matthew Maury Elementary School

Florence Verstynen, Poplar Halls Elementary School

Mr. Jeff, Kenmore Middle School

JoAnn Cowley, Springwoods Elementary School

Marietta Pierce, Westridge Elementary School

Norman Howard, John Adams Elementary School

Richard Thomas, George Mason Elementary School

Ms. Richardson, Samuel Tucker Elementary School

Simone Henderson, Douglas MacArthur Elementary School

Teresa Noonan, Oakridge Elementary School

Tina Johnson, Enterprise Elementary School

Visit the Crossing Guard Appreciation Day page to see what parents and schools had to say about the winning crossing guards, print out thank you cards and other materials to show your neighborhood crossing guard how much you appreciate their service

January 21, 2014 - 4th Annual National Bicycling Poster Contest – The Saris Cycling Group is holding a poster making contest for 5thgrade students across the country. One winning 5th grade student from Virginia will receive a new bicycle, bike light, helmet, and will be entered in the National Bicycling Poster competition. One National winner will receive a trip to the 2015 National Bike Summit in Washington D.C. and their school will receive bicycle parking for twenty bikes and a bike/walk tracking system called The Hub.

This contest is an interactive activity to give students an opportunity to express their creativity, to get excited about bicycling, and to learn about healthy living. All submissions are due by March 7, 2014. To learn more about the contest, please read the Virginia contest rules and the contest permission slip.

January 20, 2014 -- The Virginia Safe Routes to School program is excited to offer Walkabout Mini-grants! Walkabouts are led by the Local Technical Assistance Coordinators and give schools and neighborhoods a great opportunity to bring together community stakeholders to experience pedestrian and bicycle conditions around a school, share perspectives of student transportation issues, and build consensus around potential solutions. The resulting report can help schools identify the existing conditions and can recommend infrastructure improvements for schools that are applying for an infrastructure grant. Apply Online today!

4th Annual National Bicycling Poster Contest – The Saris Cycling Group is holding a poster making contest for 5th grade students across the country. One winning 5th grade student from Virginia will receive a new bicycle, bike light, helmet, and will be entered in the National Bicycling Poster competition. One National winner will receive a trip to the 2015 National Bike Summit in Washington D.C. and their school will receive bicycle parking for twenty bikes and a bike/walk tracking system called The Hub.

This contest is an interactive activity to give students an opportunity to express their creativity, to get excited about bicycling, and to learn about healthy living. All submissions are due by March 7, 2014. To learn more about the contest, please read the Virginia contest rules and the contest permission slip.

February 5, 2014 - Join us on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 12:30 pm for the next Virginia SRTS program webinar: Safe Routes to School in Small Towns. Safe Routes programs have increased the safety of walking and bicycling to and from school for students across the stat in large cities and small towns. However, each school faces unique challenges to encouraging SRTS and must adapt the Safe Routes program to its environment. Solutions for large cities and suburban areas may not necessarily be applicable to small towns and vice versa. In this webinar we’ll hear from SRTS supporters from Berryville and Galax, Virginia and learn about the techniques they use to promote Safe Routes to School in Small Towns. Register online!

January 20, 2014 -- The Virginia Safe Routes to School program is excited to offer Walkabout Mini-grants! Walkabouts are led by the Local Technical Assistance Coordinators and give schools and neighborhoods a great opportunity to bring together community stakeholders to experience pedestrian and bicycle conditions around a school, share perspectives of student transportation issues, and build consensus around potential solutions. The resulting report can help schools identify the existing conditions and can recommend infrastructure improvements for schools that are applying for an infrastructure grant. Apply Online today!

January 3, 2014 -- The Virginia SRTS program is honoring crossing guards during Crossing Guard Appreciation Day on February 12. This day, or any other day in February, will be used to show appreciation for the women and men who help students cross the street on their walking and biking routes every school day, regardless of the weather. Information on how to recognize crossing guards is available under Acknowledgement Programs.

Outstanding crossing guards throughout the state will be identified and thanked through nominations by their schools. Nominations will be received through January 25, with Outstanding Crossing Guard recipients announced by February 12. More information is under Acknowledgement Programs.

New LTAC Regions!

We’re starting 2014 by creating new LTAC regions. The state will be divided into Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Coastal regions and will each have one Local Technical Assistance Coordinator to assist local Safe Routes to School programs. Remember, an LTAC can help generate ideas for a local Safe Routes project, provide information regarding possible funding opportunities, discuss basic planning needs, and offer general guidance for sustainable Safe Routes to School programs. Click here to learn more about the LTAC program and to find out which counties fall into which regions.

Infrastructure Grants Announced!

Twenty-one schools across fifteen cities have been awarded infrastructure grants, which will be used to install new sidewalks, improve crosswalks, and add signage to increase pedestrian and bicyclist visibility to motorists.

Another nine schools in Virginia were awarded $1,000 QuickStart Mini-Grants in October, bringing the total to 105 schools awarded grants since the start of the program. Many of these schools will use their grant for on-going Walk and Bike to School activities, while others are adding new bike racks and safety equipment.

Cunningham Park ElementaryVienna
Walking Wednesdays Events

George Washington Middle / City of AlexandriaAlexandria
Walking School Bus Project

Glebe Elementary SchoolArlington
Walk, Ride & Roll to School

Dumbarton ElementaryRichmond
Walk to School Events & Active Living Challenges

Lake Anne ElementaryReston
Walk to School All Year

Park View ElementaryPortsmouth
Bike Racks & Safety Equipment

Victory ElementaryPortsmouth
Bike Racks

Stonewall MiddleManassas
Student Pedometers

Williamsburg-James City County SchoolsWilliamsburg
Student Pedometers

September QuickStart Mini-grant awards fund Walk to School Day events statewide

October 25, 2013 – Twenty-one schools were awarded QuickStart Mini-grants in September, many to be used for October Walk to School Day events. Other schools will use the $1,000 grant for on-going activities, such as monthly walking and bicycling to school events, healthy lifestyle programs, and bicycle safety education.

The October awardees will be announced in the next few weeks. One more round of applications is available this fall, with applications due by November 21.

Bellwood Elementary School/ Fit4KidsChesterfieldWalk to School Day event

Chesapeake Public SchoolsChesapeakeDivision-wide Walk to School Day event

Sunrise Valley Elementary School PTARestonMonthly bike and Walk to School Days

Swansboro Elementary SchoolRichmondWalk to School Day event

Venable Elementary SchoolCharlottesvilleHealthy Habit/Healthy Mind Walk to School Day event

Westbriar Elementary School PTAViennaWednesdays are for Walking and Biking

Williamsburg-James City County SchoolsWilliamsburg-James City CountyWalk to School Day events

Record-breaking participation in International Walk to School Day

October 11, 2013 – 186 Virginiaschools participated in this year’s International Walk to School Day, increasing last year’s 114 by 72. A sampling of media coverage from events in Central Virginia is provided below.

The third annual National Bike to School Day is Wednesday, May 7, 2014. This event is quickly becoming popular in Virginia, with 84 schools hosting events in 2013 – over twice the number in 2012, the events inaugural year. More information on National Bike to School Day is available through the event hotline at WalkBiketoSchool.org.

Ten More QuickStart Mini-grants Awarded

August 29, 2013 – Ten additional schools received a $1,000 QuickStart Mini-grant for activities this fall:

Abington Elementary School, ArlingtonSafe Walk and Bike to School Events

More QuickStart Mini-grants are available this fall! Application due dates are September 19 and October 17. Information on QuickStart Mini-grants and the online application are on the website under School Travel Plans and Grants.

Student Travel Tally Week Expected to Yield High Participation

August 29, 2013 – Dozens of Virginia schools are expected to participate in Student Travel Tally Week in 2013, especially with the incentive of receiving an event banner. In preparation for this year’s event, the Virginia SRTS program has created an easy-to-use online form to capture travel tally information and materials to help schools participate. More information on Student Travel Tally Week is on this new web page.

August 14 Webinar to field fall funding questions

Aug. 14, 2013 – The Virginia SRTS program will host a webinar on Wednesday, August 14 from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. to review fall funding opportunities and events. Local and school and government staff interested in both infrastructure and non-infrastructure activities to promote SRTS are encouraged to attend. The webinar, a live version of the recent newsletter, will provide a time for participants to ask questions during an ‘open phones’ segment. Click here to register for the webinar. More information is available through the Virginia SRTS program hotline at 1-855-601-7787 or visit us at www.Virginiadot.org/saferoutes

New Mini-grant will help prepare infrastructure grant application

July 16, 2013 – The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program now offers two types of Mini-grants: the QuickStart Mini-grant and a new Enhanced Walkabout Mini-grant. The Enhanced Walkabout Mini-grant is specifically designed to support infrastructure grant applications, such as for a Transportation Alternatives Grant. Applications for this new mini-grant are due August 23, 2013. Six Enhanced Walkabout Mini-grants are available this fall in order to meet the Transportation Alternatives grant application deadline of November 1. More information and the online application are on the Enhanced Walkabout Mini-grant page.

QuickStart Mini-grants offer $1,000 in funds for local SRTS program activities. To date, nearly 60 grants have provided pedestrian and bicycle safety education, support walking and bicycling to school events, and enhanced walking and bicycling conditions. More QuickStart Mini-grants are available between July and November. Information is available on the QuickStart Mini-grant landing page.

Transportation Alternatives Program workshops and call for applications

July 16, 2013 – The Virginia Department of Transportation’s local Assistance Division will accept applications for infrastructure projects from the Transportation Alternatives Program (TA), formally the Transportation Enhancement Program and Safe Routes to School Program. The application deadline is November 1, 2013. Four applicant workshops will be held in August to review the TA program eligibility, application process, and scoring criteria. SRTS infrastructure projects will be eligible for additional points as part of the scoring criteria. The workshops last about two hours and are free of charge. For additional information or to register for a workshop please call 1-800-444-7832 (TTY users only, call 711). Workshop locations and TAP program guidelines are on the Local Assistance Division website under Transportation Alternative Programs (TAP) and on the Virginia SRTS program Travel plans and grants landing page.

Four communities awarded non-infrastructure grants; more grants available fall 2013

Fairfax County Public Schools, $99,300
Division-wide program with SRTS coordinator at 165 schools. Activities include local SRTS training and toolkits, walk/bike to school day activities, and program evaluation.

Lynchburg City Public Schools, $78,000
Division-wide program with SRTS coordinator at seven schools. Activities include route map development, safety curriculum, bike/walk to school days, walking club, crossing guard training, and program evaluation.

City of Galax, $54,750
Division–wide program with SRTS coordinator at three schools. Activities include “school zone” plan development, bike/walk to school day activities, bicycle library, and program evaluation.

Macy McClaugherty Elementary – Giles County Public Schools, $6,000
Single school program, activities include pedestrian and bicyclist safety education and outreach, law enforcement coordination, policy development, and program evaluation.

“These grants are an important resource for school communities that intend to establish life-long walking and bicycling habits for their youth,” said Rob Williams, Virginia’s state SRTS Coordinator. “In addition, we expect that the grant award will foster a sustainable safe routes to school culture within each community.”

VDOT will accept applications for additional Activities and Programs Projects (non-infrastructure grants) in late fall 2013. The application deadline is December 17, 2013. Applications must include a VDOT-approved SRTS Activities and Programs Plan. Activities and Programsprojects include education, encouragement, and enforcement activities intended to affect student or driver behavior, and evaluation activities to monitor impacts of the SRTS program. More information on the grant process and required plan is available on the SRTS Activities and Programs page.

Student Travel Tally Week is September 16 - 20

July 16, 2013 – The Virginia Safe Routes to School program will partner with Virginia schools to collect information on the now students travel to and from school during Student Travel Tally Week, September 16 to 20. This annual event helps measure the success of SRTS programs throughout the state. All schools are encouraged to participate, regardless of the status of a local SRTS program.

More information about Student Travel Tally Week is under School Travel Plans and Grants. Or call the Virginia SRTS program hotline at 1-855-601-7787.

July 16, 2013 -- Working in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education, VDOT has provided funding for10 Virginia school divisions for a staff person to foster safe routes to school activities within their division. Working under the supervision of the division’s Health and PE coordinator, each SRTS Division Coordinator will work over the next school year to encourage their students to walk and bike to school. The coordinator will work with PE and Health teachers, as well as other school staff, with a goal to develop and sustain an effective Safe Routes to School program. “We are pleased to partner with the Department of Education on this effort, especially because our missions are so complementary,” said Rob Williams, Virginia’s state SRTS Coordinator. “Over time, we are hoping all local SRTS programs in Virginia will benefit from this program.”

April 2, 2013 –The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program has awarded another seven $1,000 QuickStart Mini-Grants, bringing to 45 the total number of schools benefiting from this program.

There are two more opportunities this spring to apply -- April 18 and May 16. To start planning for your grant now, go to the QuickStart Mini-grant program on the website under School Travel Plans and Grants.

February 19, 2013 -- VDOT will hold six workshops across the state during March and April. The workshops will include information on QuickStart Mini-grants and an upcoming call for non-infrastructure grant applications. As a bonus, two participants at each workshop will be selected to have a walking or biking event organized by VDOT at their schools!

More details on the locations, dates and how to register will be available in the coming weeks under Events.

February 15, 2013 – Another round of QuickStart Mini-grants is available. Applications will be accepted through March 14, 2013, with awards in time for planning a spring event such as Bike to School Day. Information on the QuickStart Mini-grant program, including past awards, grant ideas, and a link to the online application are under QuickStart Mini-grants.

January 11, 2013 -- The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program has awarded another eight $1,000 QuickStart Mini-Grants, bringing to 38 the total number of schools benefiting from this program.

Chesterfield County Public Schools (North Chesterfield)

Keeping You Safe, Bike Helmet Safety

Cunningham Park Elementary School (Vienna)

Walking Wednesdays, Bike Rodeo, and Pedestrian and Bike Safety

Hopkins Road Elementary School (North Richmond)

Bike Rodeo

JB Watkins Elementary School (Midlothian)

JB Watkins Elementary School Bike Safety Program

Laurel Ridge Elementary School (Fairfax)

Promote Biking to School with Bike Racks

Lynbrook Elementary School (Springfield)

Lynbrook Bike Rodeo

Tomahawk Creek Middle School PE Department (Midlothian)

Bicycling Intramural Club

Van Pelt Elementary School (Bristol)

Walk to School Day Event

An additional round of QuickStart Mini-grants will be announced this winter, start planning for your grant now. Information on the QuickStart Mini-grant program is available on the website under School Travel Plans and Grants.

Dec. 4, 2012 -- The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program has awarded another four $1,000 QuickStart Mini-Grants, bringing to 32 the total number of schools benefiting from this program.

Kent Gardens Elementary School, McLeanBike it!

Prince William County Public Schools (benefits Dale City Elementary School, Parkside Middle School, and Beville Middle School) Bike Safety and Education Program

Information on the QuickStart Mini-grant program and a link to the online application is available on the website under School Travel Plans and Grants. The final round of applications in 2012 is due on December 20.

Nov. 6, 2012 – The Virginia SRTS program will host a Webinar on November 14 to provide more information on upcoming grant applications and other new resources available for local SRTS programs. The Webinar may be especially relevant for local programs interested in applying for a QuickStart Mini-grant or a non-infrastructure grant. The Webinar will be on

Nov. 6, 2012 -- The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program has awarded another four $1,000 QuickStart Mini-Grants, bringing to 26 the total number of schools benefiting from this program.

Town of Berryville (benefits Berryville Primary School and Johnson-Williams Middle School)

Light up the Ride Town Bike Rodeo

Centreville Elementary School PTA, Centreville

Walk to School Week recognition program

Lake Ann Elementary School, Reston

Pedometers for students who pledge to walk to school through the existing SRTS program

Information on the QuickStart Mini-grant program and a link to the online application is available on the website under School Travel Plans and Grants. Two more rounds are planned for the fall, with application deadlines of November 15 and December 20.

Five More Grants Awarded

Oct 12 -- The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program has awarded another five $1,000 QuickStart Mini-Grants, bringing to 22 the total number of schools benefiting from this program. Two more rounds of applications are available this fall: Thursday, October 18 and Thursday, November 15. Clickherefor more details.

17 Grants Awarded So Far

September 18, 2012 – The Virginia Safe Routes to School program awards 17 $1,000 QuickStart Mini-grants.

QuickStart Mini-grants are appropriate for communities that plan to start a SRTS program or for communities with an on-going SRTS program that need a little help with a SRTS event. Title 1 schools are encouraged to apply and will be given priority.

Many first round awardees will use their grant to support an International Walk to School Day event. Additional grants are available this fall. The next application deadline is September 27.

A total of 50 $1,000 mini-grants are available. Fifty percent of the award will be provided to grantees within 10 days of notification; the remaining amount will be provided upon completion of the project and submission of a brief final report.

More information and the online application are available on School travel plans and grants landing page, under QuickStart Mini-grants.

Call for SRTS Grant Applications, More Resources for Local SRTS Programs

September 10, 2012 -- The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program has issued a call for grant applications for both infrastructure projects and non-infrastructure projects. This is the first time since 2010 that VDOT SRTS Program is accepting applications for non-infrastructure projects and represents another outcome of the Program’s Strategic Plan completed earlier in 2012. More information on the grant application and new, user-friendly travel plan information are available on the School Travel Plans and Grants section.

VDOT is also offering resources for local SRTS programs with four new programs:

Three local technical assistance coordinators (LTACs) are now available to assist local SRTS programs. Each LTAC is assigned to work in one of three state regions. Their work will involve both direct contacts (telephone, email, in-person) with local communities and VDOT District Offices, and on broader activities that support SRTS statewide and locally. For contact information and to find out which LTAC serves your community, visit the Contact Us section.

A new online Starter Kit is now available to assist local programs just getting underway. The Kit includes information on forming a SRTS team, planning a walk and bike to school event, and talking points to use for community SRTS presentations. See the Starter Kit section for more information.

August 23, 2012 -- The Virginia SRTS program is pleased to announce the first in a series of changes designed to encourage more communities to start and maintain a safe routes to school program.

A new hotline and email address

It’s easier to contact us now with a new program hotline and email. Call the hotline during regular business hours with a quick question or for more information about the Virginia SRTS program. The number is 1‐855‐601‐7787. If email is easier, write to us at info@VirginiaSRTS.org . We’ll respond within one business day.

If you’re new to SRTS and want to make a quick start, or have a SRTS program and need a bit of help with an event, consider applying for one of our new QuickStart Mini-grants. The first round of these $1,000 grants is available to help with an October 3 Walk to School Day event (or any walking and biking event in October). The application deadline is Thursday, September 6 for these grants, with awards announced by Tuesday, September 18. After that, grant applications will be accepted and considered on a rolling basis. Click here for more information and to access the application.

Student Travel Tally Week

The new school year is a great opportunity to establish a new tradition, especially one that will lay the groundwork for better Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs in the future! With this in mind, the Virginia SRTS program has named the week of the September 17 as Student Travel Tally Week! As a school that values Safe Routes to School we ask you to participate in this new statewide tradition. Click here for more information.

More to come

We have more in store. In two weeks, we’ll issue a call for grant applications, introduce you to three Local Technical Assistance Coordinators, and new content to our website, including our theme - Learn it. Do it. Live it.

2012 Funding Selections Announced

The VDOT Safe Routes to School Program has selected 28 schools in 18 communities from across the commonwealth to receive SRTS funding as part of the 2012 award round.

Through a competitive application process VDOT will distribute $5.9 million to these communities to fund projects including:

New sidewalks

Bicycle parking

Bike/ped crossing improvements

Multi-use trails

These are designed to make it safer and more convenient for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade to walk or bicycle to school.

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